Young Cancer Survivor Meets His Idol, Blake Shelton

Three years ago, an 8-year-old named Sammy Hodgett from Illinois was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The little boy was put into a medically induced coma for nearly six weeks as a result of reactions to his chemotherapy, and when he came out of it, it was a Blake Shelton song that anchored his recovery.

Hodgett had to re-learn how to walk, talk and eat. His challenges were ameliorated by Shelton's 2013 tune, "Boys 'Round Here," which he was able to recognize in the middle of all the work he was doing. Hodgett's family posted a plea on Facebook in October, asking for a rally to get the little boy to meet his musical hero when he came to their area Feb. 23.

Happily, that wish has come true. Shelton posted on social media last December that he couldn't wait to meet his brave young friend.

And, he made good on that promise! On Feb. 23, Hodgett met with the singer, dressed in his best cowboy boots. He even gave Shelton a special shirt to commemorate the occasion.

In a letter penned to CMT with hopes it would get to Shelton, Hodgett's dad noted how much the meeting meant to his little son. "Sammy has been smiling non-stop ever since the concert last weekend. Every morning he asks if we get to go see Blake again today."